Mike McCollum, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 4, 2011

TAMPA — In a battle of New Tampa area teams, host Freedom outlasted winless Wiregrass Ranch 19-13 Friday in an overtime thriller.

After the Bulls failed to score on their opening possession in overtime, the Patriots pulled out a trick play. Quarterback Taylor King pitched the ball to Tyrell Nunn on what appeared to be a routine toss right.

The Wiregrass defense took the bait.

Nunn caught the pitch then lofted a pass to freshman Eddie McClarty. He jumped in the air, snagged the pass and got both feet down just before falling out of bounds.

"I called on a senior (Nunn) and a freshman (McClarty) and they both came through in a big way," coach Tchecoy Blount said. "Hats off to Wiregrass for playing a hard-fought game, but I told my guys that we are not losing this game tonight. And they responded."

The Freedom offense struck first, scoring two first-half touchdowns. Nate Godwin's 50-yard scamper gave the Patriots (2-8, 2-3) an early 6-0 lead. Then King connected with wideout Deven Turner for a 36-yard pass down the sideline to push the lead to 13-0.

But in the second half, the Wiregrass offense finally came alive. On their first possession of the second half, the Bulls (0-9, 0-5) drove 80 yards in eight plays, capped by 9-yard run by Jamel Nunez.

After a Freedom fumble on its next possession, Wiregrass scored again on a 32-yard run by Eli Galvan.

Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 4, 2011

The Sharks' defense held strong to recover from last week's loss to Hernando and run away to a victory 34-3 over Springstead and finish the year at .500.

Nature Coast (5-5, 4-3) jumped out to a 14-0 lead and kept the Eagles' offense in check.

"We were holding them for the most part," Nature Coast coach Charles Liggett said.

Springstead (2-7, 1-6) had its best drive of the game to start the third quarter. Quarterback Tyler Mahla's rushes and passes took the Eagles inside the Nature Coast 10. But the Sharks held them, and linebacker Richard Hart broke up a pass at the 1 on third down to force a field goal.

"Richard Hart is a ball player," Liggett said.

Nature Coast broke the game open after that. Jacquez Kincade returned the ensuing kickoff up the middle for a touchdown to seize momentum and the victory.

The Sharks also got a boost from Ryan Maniaci, who started at quarterback after being knocked out in last week's loss to Hernando.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 4, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Spoto held on to win a close battle of Spartans on Friday, upending host Lakewood 21-15.

Senior QB Jaylin Davis gave Spoto (5-4, 5-3 in Class 5A, District 8) a 21-7 lead in the fourth quarter, high-stepping into the end zone from 2 yards.

Lakewood (6-3, 5-3) closed the gap after Rodney Adams hit Jevaris Little for a 56-yard TD with less than 1:30 remaining. Little scored the 2-point conversion to bring Lakewood within six. Adams entered on that drive to replace starting QB Tracy Johnson, who injured his leg while taking a sack.

Lakewood got the ball back but only had about 20 seconds on the clock, and on the first play Adams was sacked to end the game.

Spoto led 14-0 in the first half on a Davis touchdown pass of nine yards, and an 18-yard rushing TD by Eric Moate. Lakewood RB Martez Anderson scored from 45 yards to close the gap to 7.

Coach Cory Moore said his Lakewood team was outplayed.

"We didn't earn the win tonight," Moore said. "(Spoto) came out and played four quarters of football."

Anthony Salveggi, Times correspondent

Nathan Cowan, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

SEMINOLE — With a playoff berth on the line Friday, Osceola fell to Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 35-28.

"We fought hard and kept coming back," Warriors coach George Palmer said. "We've struggled for a number of years, but we have good kids who work hard."

Osceola (3-6, 2-3 Class 6A, District 7) fumbled on its opening possession. And the Mustangs (5-4, 4-1) capitalized scoring on a quarterback sneak by Jeren Kowalewski.

The Warriors came right back with an 11-play, 70-yard drive to even the score, Daviel Clarke running it in from 1 yard out.

The teams traded scores in the second quarter. Osceola forced a three-and-out, and Alex Cortez's 50-yard run preceded Andrew Matyk's 26-yard touchdown pass to Austin Lawrence.

Mac Hathaway scored on a 29-yard run, and Greg Funk hauled in a 4-yard pass for the Mustangs and Clarke added his second 1-yard touchdown run of the night to keep the score tied at halftime.

In the second half, the Mustangs' offensive line took over. Hathaway did most of the damage on the ground, scoring from 15 yards to give Lakewood Ranch a 28-21 lead.

Osceola tied it when Kyle Brittain returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards for a touchdown.

The Mustangs responded with another strong drive on the ground, and Hathaway scored his third touchdown of the night to give Lakewood Ranch a 35-28 lead.

"Their O-line took control in the second half," Palmer said. "They had those two long drives, and we lost our offensive rhythm."

The Warriors mounted two drives in the fourth quarter but lost a fumble and took a sack as time expired.

"We did a great job with the hurry-up to get in position to win," Palmer said. "We just came up short."

Miles Parks, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

SEMINOLE — As Pinellas Park prepared to punt with 30 seconds left, Seminole's players had something they haven't had much of this season. Hope.

But the winless Warhawks, down 40-33 with less than a minute remaining, couldn't push the ball past midfield for a chance to tie and the Patriots (7-2) clinched their first playoff berth since 2001.

Up 40-19 halfway through the fourth quarter, Pinellas Park coach Kenny Crawford started to sub in some younger players. The Warhawks (0-9) took advantage, putting together a quick touchdown drive then a 40-yard fumble return for a score on defense.

"I did some stupid things as a coach in the fourth quarter," Crawford said. "We let it slip away there at the end and almost gave it away."

Senior running back Marquis Samuel had 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Pinellas Park, which clinched the runnerup spot in Class 7A, District 9 with Countryside's win over St. Petersburg.

Miles Parks, Times correspondent

Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

BRANDON — Welcome to the playoffs, Brandon. The Eagles built a 21-point halftime lead, both running backs topped 100 yards and Brandon played its way into the postseason with a 27-6 win over East Bay (3-6).

"It feels real good," said RB Cyrus Dooley (140 yards, two TDs). "It's nice to not have to play that tiebreaker and get some rest."

The tiebreaker was avoided when Plant City lost to Newsome. Durant enters the playoffs as 7A-8 champ; Brandon is the runnerup.

The Eagles (5-4) controlled the line of scrimmage and the clock in the first half. Brandon scored on three of its four first-half possessions, getting touchdowns runs from Tyrell Garner (15 yards) and Dooley (16 yards). Quarterback Allen Knippel also tossed a 15-yard TD pass to Chaz Laidler with 39 seconds left in the half.

But Garner (right knee), who ran for 139 yards, and defensive lineman Isiah Harris (left shoulder) were both hurt in the third quarter and did not return. Neither injury is considered serious.

Brandon Wright, Times correspondent

Bobby Winsler, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

VALRICO — Bloomingdale dodged a shutout against Plant after falling behind early in the first half. The Panthers scored 31 points in the second quarter and led by 46 going into halftime.

Plant foreshadowed the strong start on the opening kickoff. Antonio Crawford returned the opener 99 yards for a score but the points were erased by a penalty. Two more penalties backed up the Panthers (8-1, 3-0) to first and 25 on their opening drive. Three plays and one first down later, James Few found Daniel Casselli for the score. Wesley Bullock led the ground attack, adding two more touchdowns before the half.

After halftime, the Bulls (4-5, 0-3) started to see some chances. Plant muffed two consecutive punts; the first recovered by Bloomingdale while the second skirted out of bounds. A fake punt on fourth and long looked as though it would spark movement but the offense failed to capitalize.

Bobby Winsler, Times correspondent

Colby Cole, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Landmark Christian defeated Shorecrest 26-7 in Shorecrest coach Phil Hayford's final home game. Hayford is retiring at the end of the season after 32 years as Chargers coach.

"I was talking to the kids and looking back and there's a whole group of my old players; it's a pretty neat deal, I'm glad they came out," Hayford said. "It means an awful lot to me."

Shorecrest took the lead early in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Dakota Hirsch. That drive was set up by a fumble recovery at the Landmark Christian 44 by Garrett Schulte.

In the second half, Landmark running back Keland White took over. He scored on a 52-yard run on the first offensive play after halftime, then on the next drive his 72-yard run gave the Patriots a 13-7 lead. White later threw a 64-yard touchdown to Justin Simpkins.

Shorecrest (2-7) forced three turnovers, two fumbles and an interception by Andrew Lanza. Alex Drexler led the Chargers with 81 rushing yards on 21 carries.

"Our guys played hard tonight I can't complain about what they did," Hayford said.

Colby Cole, Times correspondent

Rob Bibelhauser, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Blake's defense provided a slight edge as the Yellow Jackets defeated Gibbs 20-13 Friday night.

Blake's defensive standouts included defensive back Javon Kitchen, who finished with an interception and a blocked punt deep in Gibbs territory, and defensive tackle Kentae McAllister. He contributed one sack and a blocked extra-point attempt.

McAllister led a pass rush that seemed to disrupt the backfield nearly every play. Gibbs quarterback Patrick Jones was victimized by the constant pressure, finishing 5-for-14 for 77 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Blake's Zain Gilmore was 10-of-18 passing for 140 yards with one touchdown while rushing for 34 yards and another score.

Gibbs offensive standout Gary Simon totaled 94 all-purpose yards, including a 17-yard touchdown reception. Gibbs receiver Devontay Williams had four catches for 28 yards and a score.

"We tell our guys to just use their heads," Blake coach Harry Hubbard said. "We told them, 'this is the season right here.' "

Blake improves to 4-6, 3-5 while Gibbs falls to 2-6, 2-5.

Rob Bibelhauser, Times correspondent

Kyle Beckett, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

TAMPA — Friday nights are following a familiar trend for Leto. A week after losing 79-0 to Jefferson, the Falcons fell 63-7 to Sickles.

Sickles exposed the Falcons' weak defense, throwing for 191 yards and four touchdowns, while running for 245 yards and four touchdowns.

Sickles led 35-0 at the half thanks to touchdown runs by Marcos Vega and Yhaquille Grant, two TD passes from Nate Mills and a 47-yard punt return from Jakarius Crittenden.

The Falcons managed 193 yards of total offense even though quarterback Michael Serra threw three interceptions, two of which were on the final two drives. Leto's lone score came when Serra tossed a 62-yard touchdown pass to Alex Smith.

Kyle Beckett, Times correspondent

Paul Driscoll, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

TAMPA — Robinson (8-1, 7-1) came in averaging 32.5 points per game, while Middleton (0-10, 0-9) averaged 9.6. On Friday, Robinson upped its average and Middleton, well, didn't.

Robinson's Vidal Woodruff, Martin Ruiz and Byron Pringle wreaked havoc in a 44-0 victory. Woodruff went 11-for-17 for 167 passing yards and two touchdowns, one each to Tre Leonard and Byron Pringle. Ruiz had 110 yards and three touchdown runs.

In a span of 1 minute, 11 seconds in the first quarter, Robinson threw a TD pass, recorded a safety and ran back the ensuing kick for a TD and a 16-0 lead.

Robinson, which plays Plant next, did punt until the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Middleton was shutout for the third time, had 8 passing yards and 99 yards of total offense.

Paul Driscoll, Times correspondent

Justin Miller, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Clearwater Central Catholic rushed for 361 yards against St. Petersburg Catholic in a 41-6 victory Friday. Justin Goodloe scored three first-half touchdown runs of 75, 6, and 7 yards.

CCC (7-2, 2-1) got out to a quick start, scoring on its first two possessions and forcing the Barons to punt on all of their possessions in the first half. Goodloe scored twice in the first quarter.

CCC's David Campbell made two field goals in the second quarter, 19 and 39 yards. Goodloe scored his final touchdown midway through the second quarter. Domenic James caught a 15-yard touchdown from Jacob Shade right before half to go up 34-0.

Marauders sophomores Eric Davis and Diquan Walker replaced Goodloe in the second half. Davis rushed for 78 yards, while Walker rushed for 74 yards and a TD. Walker also returned an interception 25 yards for a score.

The Barons (2-8, 0-2) were not able to get much going until late in the fourth when Ryan Green scored on a 36-yard run. He finished with 14 carries for 98 yards.

Justin Miller, Times correspondent

Michael Paonessa, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Admiral Farragut defeated Cambridge Christian 31-14 behind a strong performance on both sides of the ball by sophomore Napoleon Maxwell.

With the Blue Jackets trailing 7-0 after one quarter, Maxwell rushed for touchdowns of 3 and 42 yards in the second to put Admiral Farragut ahead 14-7 at halftime. He finished the game with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

Not stopping there, Maxwell also had two interceptions, including one that he returned 33 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

"I played cornerback last year and just dropped back to my zone and read the ball out of the quarterback's eyes," Maxwell said. "I'm glad I could help my team win and head into the playoffs on a positive note."

The Blue Jacket defense was deadly as they recorded of three interceptions and forced three fumbles in the game. Running back Todd Macon also played well for the Blue Jackets, carrying the ball 28 times for 206 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Paonessa, Times correspondent

The Herald
Saturday, November 5, 2011

BRADENTON — Senior quarterback Ryan Cobb threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, two to Sinclair Laskett, as the Panthers finished off the season with their first home victory in a Class 2A Urban, District 5 game on Friday night.

"The kids played well tonight," Bradenton Christian coach Allan Gerber said. "I was ecstatic for our seniors. You ask yourself if you left the program better than you found it, and undoubtedly our seniors, despite their record, left this program better than they found it."

The game was tied at 14 at halftime before Cobb found Austin Ferrer for a 47-yard touchdown strike to give Bradenton Christian (3-6, 3-5) the lead over the Crusaders (4-5, 3-5) for good.

Another senior, Avian Humphrey, gained 59 yards on the ground for Bradenton Christian.

The Panthers intercepted three Crusaders passes and recovered a fumble.

The Herald

Mark Chisholm, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 5, 2011

DOVER — Jefferson took out its frustrations of missing the playoffs a year after winning a state title on Strawberry Crest (1-8, 1-5), prevailing 48-7 Friday.

The Dragons (5-4, 4-2) used a dual quarterback attack of sophomore Deiondre Porter and junior Tyler Small. Each threw three touchdowns in the first half and combined for 326 passing yards.

"It's a great attribute to have two great quarterbacks," Jefferson coach Jeremy Earle said. "They both deserve (to play), both really hard-working kids, and have a chance to play at the next level."

Jefferson's defense didn't allow a first down until the penultimate play of the third quarter, forced seven punts and allowed only 32 total yards. The Chargers' lone score was on a 70-yard kickoff return by Josh Engram.

"Our goal was to go 5-0 the last half of the season and we're right there with one more to go," Earle said.

Mark Chisholm, Times correspondent

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2011

Upset special

Chargers (4-3) over Packers (7-0)

Philip Rivers bounces back from some struggles to help San Diego squeak one out.

Advice of the week

With Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh getting in a highly publicized back-and-forth with the Falcons, former Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp offered his advice to the second-year star: Shut up.

Atlanta players accused Suh of taunting quarterback Matt Ryan after his ankle was stepped on by one of his offensive linemen. He briefly left the game. Suh said the injury was "karma" for alleged dirty play by Atlanta's offensive line.

"Absolutely shut up," said Sapp, an NFL Network analyst speaking on The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday. "I'm really trying to find the karma. The quarterback missed two plays, came back in and torched you for the rest of the game. And you don't get him on the ground — and now it's karma?"

Say what?

Jets coach Rex Ryan certainly isn't shy of being on camera for news conferences and beyond, including a cameo on an episode of CSI: New York. Now Ryan is taking his talents to the big stage as he'll play an unexpected role — a Patriots fan — for Adam Sandler's next movie.

Sandler revealed the news during a podcast with the NFL Network's Rich Eisen on Thursday. Ryan will play Sandler's inexpensive Boston lawyer in I Hate You, Dad, which was filmed in Massachusetts last summer.

"We wrote it in the script," Sandler told Eisen of Ryan's Patriots allegiance. "He was great enough to be loose and funny about it. He talks about (Tom) Brady. He talks about Coach (Bill) Belichick. He's really cool."

As New York Daily News writer Manish Mehta cleverly put it: "Maybe Rex Ryan will get to kiss Bill Belichick's Super Bowl rings after all."

Times wires, NFL.com, New York Daily News contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

Power rankings

1. Packers 2. Steelers 3. 49ers 4. Patriots 5. Giants 6. Bills

For as little action as there was during a lockout-shortened offseason, the season's first half has supplied plenty of story lines. There are the surprising turnaround teams such as Lions, 49ers and Bills (to name a few) and stunning collapse of the Peyton Manning-less Colts. The league lost a legend when longtime Raiders owner Al Davis died and was forced to talk about trivial topics such as the heated handshake between 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Lions coach Jim Schwartz. Several teams shuffled starting quarterbacks with the most controversial, former Gators star Tim Tebow, becoming a lightning rod in Denver.

MVP Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

This is a no-brainer. Rodgers has picked up where he left off last season, when he earned Super Bowl MVP honors, by leading the league's only unbeaten team. Rodgers has racked up 2,372 passing yards, which ranks third in the league, but his quarterback rating (125.7) is 21.3 higher than the next best, the Patriots' Tom Brady. He also has just three interceptions (tied for second) against 20 touchdowns (first).

Coach of the Year Jim Harbaugh, 49ers

Harbaugh is intense (just ask Schwartz). But his passion has invigorated the 49ers, who have won six of their first seven (after winning only six games last season) and are well on their way to winning the NFC West. And consider this: San Francisco has played only one division game, so it has five left against the league's weakest division. Meanwhile, it has beaten the Lions, Eagles and, of course, the Bucs 48-3 last month.

Rookie of the Year Cam Newton, QB, Panthers

The top overall pick in April has left no doubt he was ready to start right away. The Panthers have won only two games, but Newton has been electrifying in keeping his team in games (four losses by seven points or fewer, including by three to the Saints). Newton's unique blend of size (6 feet 5, 248 pounds) and athleticism has helped him throw for 2,393 yards, run for 319 and make Carolina fun to watch each week.

Biggest disappointment Chris Johnson, RB, Titans

Johnson, a 2,000-yard rusher just two years ago, held out for most of training camp in a contract battle. But after signing a $53.5 million deal ($30 million guaranteed), Johnson hasn't backed it up, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry (which ranks him 50th among the qualifying backs). With backup Javon Ringer impressing, it's just a question of how long the Titans use the three-time NFL leading rusher as their primary back. "Basically this is a situation where it can get no worse, really," Johnson said last week. "So it can't do nothing but go up."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Based on the 175 yards it had gained over the past four games combined, Florida's running game might have seemed like the least of Vanderbilt's worries on Saturday afternoon.

But senior Jeff Demps made sure it was a factor after all.

With senior Chris Rainey sidelined with an injury, Demps rushed for a career-high 158 yards. And the Florida defense did just enough to fend off a late Vanderbilt rally for a 26-21 victory at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The win ended a four-game losing streak for Florida (5-4, 3-4 SEC) and extended its win streak over Vanderbilt (4-5, 1-5) to 21.

The win might have come at a cost, however.

Florida senior quarterback John Brantley, who missed 10 quarters with a high ankle sprain before returning last week, sat out the fourth quarter with a new injury. He had ice on his elbow but declined to say anything specific.

"I just took a shot, but coach (Will) Muschamp is going to give an update on Monday on what's going to happen," Brantley said. "It's a bunch of things. It was getting a shot from one of their players. He hit me with a good shot."

Demps, who has battled an ankle injury over the past month, sealed the victory. Holding a 20-14 lead, he took a handoff to the left side and rushed 52 yards for the touchdown with 2:13 left. (The two-point conversion failed.)

"It was a short-yardage play," Demps said. "We went over it in practice all week. And we got a chance to execute it, and we did. The whole defense was in a box, and once I got the flip, it was just me and the defender left. I just had to make a move and capitalize on it. The offensive line and the receivers did a great job (blocking) today."

Earlier in the drive, Florida lined up to go for it on fourth and 1 from its 15. However, Vanderbilt jumped offside to give UF a first down.

Commodores coach James Franklin said Demps' touchdown, on a third and 1, epitomized what went wrong for his team.

"You have got to stop the run," Franklin said. "That's where Florida's athleticism and recruiting shows up. We load the box up, and they get in a two tight-end, one-receiver set, load the backfield up … that was a good call. They got their fastest player space in a situation where they needed inches, and we loaded the box up."

Florida led 17-0 at halftime aided by touchdown runs of 1 yard by backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett and 5 yards by Demps. But quarterback Jordan Rodgers got the Commodores offense rolling in the second half.

Vanderbilt outscored Florida 21-9 in the half. Rodgers, the younger brother of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, threw for 220 during the half, including 128 in the fourth, when Vandy had consecutive touchdown drives of 66 and 80 in the final minutes.

Muschamp said Rodgers threw better than he has all season but also acknowledged the Gators played too tentative, particularly in the secondary, late in the game.

"When you've got a two-score game with 2:13 to go, you still play coverage," he said. "We were calling coverages we had had success with the whole game. And our guys felt like just don't get beat deep. And that's not what you can do in these situations. It's a great learning experience. Believe me, Monday morning at 6 a.m., we're going to learn that you can't play that way at the end of the game. You've got to continue to play the game.

"A lot of what I saw is very correctable, in my opinion."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2011

The Florida Gators held off a second-half Vanderbilt Commodores rally to win 26-21 Saturday in Gainesville.

The Gators (5-4, 3-4 SEC) broke a four-game losing streak and moved within a game of being bowl eligible.

Jeff Demps sealed the victory with a 52-yard touchdown run with 2:13 left in the game. Demps finished with 23 carries for 158 yards.

Florida controlled the first half. Jacoby Brissett, who shared time at quarterback with starter John Brantley, scored the first touchdown on a 1-yard run with 8:39 remaining in the first half.

Demps scored on a 5-yard run and Caleb Sturgis kicked a 55-yard field goal to give the Gators a 17-0 halftime lead.

The Commodores (4-5, 1-5) tried to rally with Jordan Rodgers passing for two touchdowns and running for another.

Chris Rainey missed the game with an ankle injury. Brantley, who also has been plagued by an ankle injury, completed 16 of 24 for 173 yards but left the game late.

Florida plays at South Carolina Saturday.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2011

5 questions D Bruno Gervais

What was your nickname with the Islanders? They called me the Mayor.

Why? I would organize every party. I'm a social butterfly. I talk to everyone.

What kind of parties? Everything, every get-together and team stuff. We'd do Halloween parties and Christmas stuff. We did the Super Bowl.

At your house? Five guys and a dog.

And the house survived? Yeah, it survived. It was still standing when we left.

Looking good?

RW Teddy Purcell has a bone to pick with Vinny Lecavalier about the captain's wardrobe choices.

"He has really bad style," Purcell said. "He thinks it's too good. He needs to get knocked down a little bit. He needs a little humble pie."

The problem?

"He wears a lot of fancy Italian names," Purcell said. "Just because it's a brand name, he thinks it's good. He's a good looking guy, but the style … "

It should be noted the critique was done with a laugh and was unprompted, which meant it probably was some sort of inside joke.

"No comment," Lecavalier said, laughing.

Time for a change

Lecavalier said he did not plan to discard the shoulder pads he had worn his previous 12 years with the Lightning, but when he tried on a new pair from equipment-maker CCM — lighter, more comfortable, with more padding — he made the switch. But not without some regret for the old pads.

"They stink," he said, and got "instantly moist" when he would sweat. "But guys hate to change their equipment."

So attached is Lecavalier to his old pads, he has kept them as a souvenir. Plus, he said, "I didn't want anybody else to have them."

Actually, he added, "I don't know if anybody would want them."

Quote to note

"Put your hard hat on, bring your lunch pail and your steel-toed shoes, and go to work. It's all about the team and doing what they have to do to help each other win."

G Dwayne Roloson, on the Lightning's defining characteristic

Number of the day

23-23-3

Combined record entering Saturday of last season's conference finalists: Lightning, Bruins, Canucks, Sharks.

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 5, 2011

Saint Leo Men

Coach: Lance Randall (first season)

Last season: 12-16 (2-14 Sunshine State Conference)

Notable: Randall takes over after serving as associate head coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, which won the NCAA Division III national title in 2010. He inherits a team that finished last in the Sunshine State Conference last season and won only two games in February. The Lions lose their four leading scorers but return junior G Dominick Robinson, who started 24 games last season and recorded nine double doubles. Inexperience will be a concern for a team that boasts no seniors. Jerrel Harris led Wisconsin-Stevens Point in scoring last season (15.4 ppg) before transferring to Saint Leo. The Lions were picked to finish last in the conference's preseason poll.

Roster

No. Player Ht. Pos. Yr.

3 Marcus Ruh 6-4 G Jr.

4 Shaun Adams 6-6 F Jr.

5 Tom Neary 6-7 F Jr.

10 Johnny Johnston 6-2 G Fr.

11Dominick Robinson6-0 G Jr.

13 Angel Gonzalez 5-9 G Fr.

15 Sven Sabljak 6-7 F R-Fr.

20 Taylor Bassett 6-3 G Fr.

22 Jerrel Harris 5-10 G Jr.

24 Cale Girten 6-6 F Fr.

25 Derik Hawkey 6-2 G Jr.

32 Spenser Mitchell 6-8 F So.

34 Trent Thomas 6-4 G Jr.

42 Alex Stewart 6-6 G So.

Schedule: Nov. 11 — Southeastern, 7:30; Nov. 12 — Southern Poly Tech, 4; Nov. 15 — at Valdosta State, 8; Nov. 19 — at Stetson, 3; Nov. 23 — Puerto Rico-Bayamon, 7:30; Nov. 26 — Trinity, 4; Dec. 3 — Valdosta State, 4; Dec. 13 — at New Orleans, 7; Dec. 17 — West Liberty State, 2; Dec. 18 — Tuskegee, 2; Dec. 31 — Lynn, 4; Jan. 4 — at Tampa, 7:30; Jan. 7 — at Florida Tech, 4; Jan. 11 — Florida Southern, 7:30; Jan. 14 — Rollins, 4; Jan. 18 — at Eckerd, 7:30; Jan. 21 — at Nova Southeastern, 4; Jan. 25 — Barry, 7:30; Feb. 1 — at Lynn, 7:30; Feb. 4 — Florida Tech, 4; Feb. 8 — Tampa, 7:30; Feb. 11 — at Rollins, 4; Feb. 15 — at Florida Southern, 7:30; Feb. 18 — Nova Southeastern, 4; Feb. 22 — Eckerd, 7:30; Feb. 25 — at Barry, 4.

Women

Coach: Nikki Jessee (first season)

Last season: 9-18 (1-15 Sunshine State Conference)

Notable: Jessee was hired in April after serving as an assistant at the University of Tampa and was a former head coach at Lynn University. F Chelsea Williams made the conference's all-freshman team last year after averaging 10.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Saint Leo has no seniors and loses its two leading scorers from a team that ended the season with a nine-game losing streak. The Lions are picked to finish second to last in the league's preseason poll.

Roster

No. Player Ht. Pos. Yr.

00 Kinnara Lewis 5-6 G Fr.

3 Sarah Winans 5-8 G Fr.

5 Shalisa Hill 5-7 G Jr.

10 Asia Wilson 5-6 G R-Jr.

12 Elise Clyburn 5-5 G Jr.

13 Chelsea Williams 6-0 F So.

15 Christina Granville 5-10 F Jr.

21 Artigua Kilpatrick 5-8 G So.

23 Rachel Burnett 6-0 F Fr.

24 Chelsea Connelly 5-10 G So.

32 Keishara Green 5-11 F So.

33 Melissa Schmidt 6-0 F Jr.

Schedule: Nov. 11 — West Florida, 5:30; Nov. 19 — Valdosta State, 2; Nov. 23 — Puerto Rico-Bayamon, 5:30; Nov. 26 — Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, 2; Nov. 30 — Warner, 5:30; Dec. 3 — Southeastern, 2; Dec. 13 — Newberry, 5:30; Dec. 18 — Alabama-Huntsville at Lakeland, 1; Dec. 19 — Delta State at Lakeland, 3; Dec. 28 — Maryville, 5:30; Dec. 31 — Lynn, 2; Jan. 4 — at Tampa, 5:30; Jan. 7 — at Florida Tech, 2; Jan. 11, Florida Southern, 5:30; Jan. 14 — Rollins, 2; Jan. 18 — at Eckerd, 5:30; Jan. 21 — at Nova Southeastern, 2; Jan. 25 — Barry, 5:30; Feb. 1 — at Lynn, 5:30; Feb. 4 — Florida Tech, 2; Feb. 8 — Tampa, 5:30; Feb. 11 — at Rollins, 2; Feb. 15 — at Florida Southern, 5:30; Feb. 18 — Nova Southeastern, 2; Feb. 22 — Eckerd, 5:30; Feb. 25 — at Barry, 2.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer